Thai Port's AFC Cup run came to end with a dreadful performance in Kuwait. Their defensive game plan failed miserably as Al-Qadsia were seemingly able to attack at will. On the rare occasions that Port did manage to muster some pressure, they created three or four great chances to score, hitting the woodwork twice. In all honesty though, they never looked like getting anything out of the game.
The first 10 minutes were uneventful as Port sat back and defended in numbers. Al-Qadsia's neat attacking play was nice to watch, but it came to nothing. That all changed in a 15 minute period during which Thai Port gave a masterclass in how not to defend. To call it schoolboy defending would be an insult to schoolboy footballers.
The opening goal came on 13 minutes via a cross swung in from the left flank by Bader Al-Mutwa. Swa-Moise and Sompong Soleb were both guilty of ball watching as Al-Enezi got goal side of the defenders and in front of Port's goalkeeper Pattarakorn to head the ball home.
Al-Qadsia should have doubled their advantage just 60 seconds after the restart. Worawut Wangsawad surrendered possession in a dangerous area, presenting Al-Mutwa with an excellent chance that he should have taken. Port had a brief respite from the onslaught, as first Sompong Soleb then Ekkachai Sumrei tried their luck with ambitious shots, but it wasn't long before the 'Yellow Birds' were back on the attack.
Al-Enezi played a through ball in the direction of Al-Mutwa, two of the four Thai Port defenders stepped up in a line to catch him offside, while Mario Cesar Da Silva and Nontapan Jiensatawong stood 5 yards behind them, clearly playing the striker onside. Al-Mutwa took full advantage of the atrocious defending and rounded Patarakorn before sliding the ball into the empty net.
Going 2-0 down seemed to finally spark some life into Port. Sarayoot Chaikamdee's powerful strike deflected off a defender and had to be well tipped over the bar by Al-Qadsia's goalkeeper. From the resulting corner Jirawat Makarom was unfortunate to see his inswinging cross rattle the crossbar with the keeper floundering. Port definitely seemed to be getting a foothold in the game, but they could not create any further chances until just before half-time. Sompong Soleb had a glorious double chance to hand a life line to the visiting team, but he was twice denied by the keeper when he really should have scored.
Seconds into the second-half Al-Qadsia almost increased their lead to 3-0. Abdulaziz caught the Port defence napping, but smashed his shot onto the post. The home fans didn't have to wait long to see their team on the attack once more, as Port gave away possession in their own half for the umpteenth time. Abdulaziz gathered the ball and waltzed through the disjointed Thai Port defence, but having done the hard work, he could only shoot straight at Pattarakorn.
After spurning those chances, Al-Qadsia rediscovered their goalscoring touch with 15 minutes remaining. Frustratingly, they were once again helped out by Thai Port's hapless defence. The four of them stood statuesque with hands raised, pleading for an offside flag, while the onside Abdulaziz raced onto the through ball and rounded Pattarakorn for a carbon copy of the second goal. To get caught out in that fashion once is careless, twice is just totally unacceptable.
With the game effectively over, Al-Qadsia sat back and gave Port the chance to attack. Alef Poh-Ji's curling shot struck the crossbar following excellent build up play from Jacob Aikhionbare. Then in injury time both Sarayoot Chaikamdee and Sompong Soleb had shots blocked on the goal line during a scramble in the six yard box, leaving Port players shaking their heads in disbelief.
Comment: You always look to take positives out of games, but I can't think of any from this one. We were our own worst enemy and not one player gave a creditable performance. The amount of really basic errors in our play was alarming to say the least.
In the match report I gave some stick to the defence, but to be fair to them, our midfield made up of identikit players didn't do much to help out. It's becoming increasingly obvious that we lack a real physical presence in centre of midfield, something that needs to be seriously addressed in the close season.
I don't want to be wholly negative about things, so I'll say well done to Thai Port for getting into the last 8 of the AFC Cup. It's been very enjoyable following the games from afar, and the players & staff have done themselves and the fans proud. It's just a shame our AFC Cup run ended with such a wretched performance.
Credit must go to Al-Qadsia who played well and were worthy winners of the tie.
Ref watch: Apologies to Iranian officials Masoud Moradi, Alireza Gholamhossein & Morteza Karimi for questioning their appointment. They all had good games.
More photos here: www.thaiportfc.com/2009/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12123
THAI PORT : 1. Pattarakorn Thanganurat, 6. Rangsan Iam-Wirij, 32. Nontapan Jiensatawong (8. Jakkrit Bunkham), 22. Mario Cesar Da Silva, 36. Moudourou Swa-Moise, 4. Worawut Wangsawad (26. Alef Poh-Ji), 11. Jirawat Makarom, 24. Sompong Soleb, 27. Kiatjareon Ruangparn, 33. Ekkachai Sumrei (14. Jacob Aikhionbare), 10. Sarayoot Chaikamdee (c)
GOALS :
Video courtesy of Tungstenpalm
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